CRITERIA

The composer has skilfully manipulated musical elements and compositional devices to create cohesive music to support their chosen film.

The composition effectively and convincingly realises the dramatic intent of the FIlm as specified by the Director’s Musical Brief.

The composer has presented an original and imaginative composition that is distinctive and demonstrates creativity and an understanding of film composition.

The composition demonstrates originality of soundtrack e.g. use of instruments (electronic or instrumental) and avoids the use of stock music or previously written or recorded music.

DIRECTOR'S MUSICAL BRIEF

Brief story summary
In Longawn, we follow a man as he attempts to ‘escape’ his decaying home in the harsh Australian outback. He first visits the grave of a lost loved one and then begins a desperate run toward the horizon. As he passes tufts of desert grass they awaken into ravenous creatures. The strange creatures pursue and attack the man and finally we see him in his dying moments … totally defeated and soon to be absorbed into the landscape.

The Score
The score for Longawn will play a crucial role in engaging and guiding the audience and complimenting and enhancing the film’s themes. I think of the film as a ‘mood piece’. That is, attention to the ‘plot’ will ideally be outweighed by the emotional and visceral experience of the film. The audience should be wrapped up in the visual and aural textures and the themes and emotions they evoke… similar to the feeling of listening to a beautiful song or piece of music. The score will be perhaps the most important factor in creating this mood and potent emotional feeling.

I would like the music to reflect the momentousness (for the character) of each scene:

When the man is leaving his house, he knows that he is facing his probable demise

When he visits the shrine/grave, his heart aches with grief and longing and perhaps a glimmer of hope that he might somehow be reunited with this lost loved one. He leaves his hat on the fence post because he realises that he isn’t going to make it.

Style Ideas
I believe many styles of music could work for this film. Some possibilities that come to mind are as follows:

The original score was ethereal and dreamy using deep drones, synths and guitar. During the chase, the music had a beat and greater energy/intensity. This is the kind of sound I had envisioned, however I could also imagine a string composition having a similar qualities in terms of emotional impact/intensity etc.

Another idea could be to take inspiration and conventions from relevant genres. This could be in earnest or possibly even hyperbolic and funny. For example, from Sergio Leone “Spaghetti” Westerns: surf guitar/rattle sound for the sun. From Horror/Monster movies: analog synth sounds a la the scores of John Carpenter.

In the final scene, the camera pulls away from the dying/dead man as the creatures are consuming him. This final scene is long and will likely be a major point where the score will take the foreground and set the final mood/emotion for the audience. It would seem fitting for music here to be poignant/sad/overwhelming. Another possibility worth considering is setting this scene to triumphant or happy pop music. I had fun testing this with various songs (eg: Achy Breaky Heart) and I think something like this could possibly be very effective as an alternate approach.

Guiding Themes and Relevant Adjectives

The brutally harsh environment (searing desert sun)

Isolation

Loss/grief

Sombre

Desolate

Gritty

JUDGING

The judging panel will select three semi-finalists (and in some instances an honourable mention) for each category from which one finalist will be awarded as the winner. The winner will be announced at the Award Ceremony to be held in Brisbane on Wednesday 24 July 2019.
Judges will be scoring on the basis of:

20 % Musicality

10 % Technical Proficiency

25% Dramatic Tension

25% Originality

20 % Overall Excellence

FAQ

CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY?

Yes, you can enter more than one category depending on your year level. For example, students can enter Junior and Plus or Senior and Plus.

WHAT CAN I WIN?

Two return airfares and accommodation to Brisbane, for finalist and supervising adult to attend the Award Ceremony on Thursday 25 July 2019

Masterclass with Cameron Patrick

Workshop at Queensland School of Film & Television, on how to make a film

Two tickets to the Cameron Patrick public lecture on Friday 26 July 2019

Opportunity to meet the Griffith Film School Filmmakers about possible collaborations in the future

+ RØDE AI-1 Complete Studio Kit

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Score IT! is free to enter and does not have any registration or other fees.

If you chose to mail in your composition and score all costs including DVD and mailing charges are the responsibility of each entrant.

Should airfares and accommodation not be required by the finalist, other travel allowances may be made available. All food, incidentals and personal costs related to the Brisbane trip are at the cost of finalist.

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